Gov. Laura Kelly axes funds for Quindaro Ruins backed by controversial Kansas Democrat

In an apparent rebuke of a maverick Democratic lawmaker, Gov. Laura Kelly rejected an effort to allocate $250,000 in State Historical Society funds to the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park Project in Wyandotte County.

The project itself is largely noncontroversial in nature, with Quindaro serving as an important waypoint on the Underground Railroad, with escaping slaves crossing the Missouri River from the east.

The Quindaro Ruins, however, has been a top priority for Rep. Marvin Robinson, D-Kansas City, who advocated for the site to be recognized as a National Historic Landmark and for improvements to the area before being elected to serve in the Statehouse.

Quindaro Ruins advocate voted with Republicans on key votes

Robinson has sided with his Republican colleagues on a number of key votes, including nearly every attempt to override Kelly's vetoes at the end of the legislative session, including a controversial vote to enact a ban on transgender athletes in women's sports.

Despite stiff criticism from Democratic lawmakers on the House floor, Robinson maintained he had no awareness of the proviso's inclusion. Other Republican lawmakers echoed that sentiment but seemed to indicate that the funding was included for Robinson's benefit.

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"What was added to that proviso was done without his knowledge, it wasn’t done in exchange for anything," said Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita. "It was done because he actually did the hard work. I would like to say thank you to the distinguished rep, my colleague, my friend. And I would like you to have one morsel, one modicum, after all the stuff you have seen him go through, of that type of courage."

In a message explaining her decision to line-item veto the funding, Kelly said, "There was no opportunity to vet this proposal to ensure that it truly serves the needs of the community for whom the site is named."

"My administration recognizes the importance of this culturally significant site, and I will support efforts to elevate this fundamental piece of Kansas history and honor the surrounding community," Kelly wrote. "Advocates should work through the proper channels to seek funding for this measure and ensure that it receives the recognition it deserves."

Kelly's decision earned an immediate rebuke from Republican lawmakers, with House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, saying the governor had "put politics before protecting this historical site that’s so important to the African American community in Kansas City."

"Preserving the archeological integrity and educational importance of the Quindaro Ruins should be a bi-partisan priority and excluded from the wrath of political punishments," Hawkins said in a statement.

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Democrat frustrated by Gov. Kelly veto on historic site dunds

But at least one member of Kelly's party also expressed bewilderment and frustration at the move.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, whose district includes Quindaro, said it was "ill-advised" upon being informed of the line-item veto.

"Whomever she is taking advice from on that, and you can quote me, probably has not read our history or the tea leaves of the area," Haley said. "That is unfortunate."

Haley underscored Robinson's longtime reputation in the area as a crusader on behalf of Quindaro and noted that his support for Republican lawmakers at times was known while running for office.

The hope was, he added, that Kelly wouldn't be so "petty" as to veto the item over an intra-party feud and he called on her administration to immediately distribute funds to bolster the site.

"I would think she's bigger than the politics of it," Haley said.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: In rebuke of Marvin Robinson, Kansas governor cuts controversial funds